THE VOLUNTEER SISTERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 473, 16 August 1915, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER SISTERS.

WELL TREATED AT TRENTHAM. NO CAUSE TOR COMPLAINT. Some time ago, statements were circulated to the effect that the Volunteer Sisters, who had gone to nurse the soldiers who were sick at Trentham, were being given work of a very rough character, such as washing, scrubbing, etc., and that, in consequence, there was much discontent amongst them. These charges, however, are not borne out by one of the nurses interviewed by a Sun representative to-day. The nurse in question was one of the first to offer ;her services when the call for volunteers was made by Miss Rout. She has put in several weeks at the work, and has only returned home for a few days' leave. In reply to questions, the nurse stated that she had been in the wards all the time, and had never been called upon to do washing, scrubbing, cooking, or work in the kitchen. In fact, nurses were not ~ permitted in the kitchen at all. The whole of the work mentioned was done by orderlies. "Of course," the lady continued, "when we arrived at Trentham we signed a paper undertaking to do anything required of us, and had we been asked to do kitchen or other work it would really have been our duty to do so without complaint. We are treated with the very greatest consideration by the authorities at Trentham, and in view of the statements to the contrary, that have been circulated we are anxious that the ptiblic should be made aware of the true tacts. "I would like to say, too, that our patients have been most appreciative of our efforts to help them." Questioned about the decision' not to allow any but properly-trained nurses to go to Egypt, the nurse said that it might occasion some disappointment, but it would be some compensation to those disappointed to know that they could render equally good service to the sick and wounded soldiers in New Zeai land.